Teams Real Madrid Have Never Beaten
Real Madrid are one of football’s most successful clubs. Across decades of domestic and international competition, they have beaten hundreds of opponents, lifted numerous trophies, and built a record that few in world football can match.
Yet even the greatest have a few teams they could never quite overcome. This article explores the clubs Real Madrid have faced competitively but have never beaten, diving into the history, context, and reasons behind each result.
How We Define “Never Beaten”
In this context, “never beaten” means Real Madrid have faced the team in one or more official competitive fixtures but have never managed to win. Friendlies and exhibition matches are not included.
The Clubs Real Madrid Have Never Beaten
Over the years, a handful of clubs have faced Real Madrid in official matches and escaped defeat. These teams are:
- Arsenal (England)
- Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- Corinthians (Brazil)
- Aberdeen (Scotland)
- Ipswich Town (England)
- LOSC Lille (France)
- Necaxa (Mexico)
- CD Toledo (Spain)
- Club Español de Madrid (historic, dissolved)
Let’s explore each matchup in detail.
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Arsenal – Four Competitive Meetings, No Madrid Wins
Real Madrid have met Arsenal several times in the UEFA Champions League. Across these meetings, Madrid have yet to register a win. Arsenal have consistently managed to hold their own or win in crucial knockout ties.
Why This Record Has Held
Arsenal’s defensive organisation and counter-attacking style have historically troubled Madrid. With both clubs meeting mostly in knockout fixtures, Arsenal have made the most of their chances in decisive moments.
Boca Juniors – Intercontinental Cup Triumph
Real Madrid faced Boca Juniors in the 2000 Intercontinental Cup final. Boca won that one-off match 2-1, with Martín Palermo scoring twice to secure victory.
Why It Matters
Because this was their only competitive meeting, Boca Juniors retain a 100% unbeaten record against Real Madrid. It’s one of the most famous upsets in club football history.
Corinthians – Unbeaten in Global Competitions
Real Madrid and Corinthians have met in global tournaments, with Madrid failing to register a victory. Corinthians’ solid defence and composed performances helped them maintain their unbeaten record.
Why This Record Stands
Single-match global fixtures often bring surprises. Playing outside Europe, travel conditions and one-off finals can balance the odds, giving South American sides a fair shot and Corinthians took theirs.
Aberdeen – The 1983 Cup Winners’ Cup Final
In the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, Scottish club Aberdeen defeated Real Madrid 2-1 after extra time. This remains one of the greatest moments in Aberdeen’s history.
Why It Stands Out
Aberdeen, managed by a young Alex Ferguson, produced a tactical masterclass to beat Madrid. The clubs haven’t met again competitively since, so that result remains.
Ipswich Town – The 1973 UEFA Cup Encounter
Real Madrid met Ipswich Town in the 1973-74 UEFA Cup. Ipswich won the first leg and drew the second, progressing on aggregate and leaving Madrid winless in the tie.
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Why It Stayed That Way
The clubs haven’t faced each other again, so Ipswich remain unbeaten against the Spanish giants, a rare distinction for a smaller English club.
LOSC Lille – A Modern Champions League Shock
LOSC Lille stunned Real Madrid with a 1-0 win in the Champions League group stage. The result made headlines as Madrid’s first defeat to the French side, keeping Lille unbeaten in competitive head-to-heads.
Why It’s Notable
It showed that even modern-day Madrid, with all their European experience, can be undone by disciplined, compact defending and smart counter-attacking.
Necaxa – Club World Cup Penalty Drama
Mexican side Necaxa beat Real Madrid in a Club World Cup third-place playoff via penalties. Madrid failed to win the game in regulation time and lost the shootout.
Why It Endures
Tournament scheduling and rotation often see elite clubs field experimental lineups, leading to unexpected outcomes like Necaxa’s win.
CD Toledo – A Domestic Cup Upset
In the Copa del Rey, lower-league Spanish side CD Toledo beat a rotated Real Madrid squad 2-1 in 2000. The match remains one of the biggest domestic upsets in modern Spanish football.
Why It Happened
Real Madrid underestimated their opponents in the early cup round, while Toledo capitalised on home advantage and Madrid’s weaker lineup.
Club Español de Madrid – A Historical Footnote
In the early 1900s, Real Madrid faced Club Español de Madrid in official Spanish competitions and failed to secure a win before the club dissolved. It remains a unique historical statistic.
Why It Still Counts
Though the club no longer exists, official match records list it as one Real Madrid never beat in competitive play.
What This List Reveals
This list highlights a fascinating truth: even football’s most successful club can’t beat everyone. Many of these teams met Madrid in only one or two fixtures but that’s enough for the record to stand. It’s a reminder that in football, anything can happen in 90 minutes, no matter how dominant a club may be.
Real Madrid’s unmatched history of success includes a few curious exceptions, teams that have managed to remain unbeaten against them. While future meetings could change the record, these clubs hold a unique place in football history, proving that even the greatest can be humbled.
FAQs
Q1. Which English clubs have Real Madrid never beaten?
A. Arsenal and Ipswich Town are the only English clubs that Real Madrid have never beaten in competitive matches.
Q2. Has Real Madrid ever beaten Boca Juniors?
A. No. Boca Juniors won their only official meeting in the 2000 Intercontinental Cup final.
Q3. Has Real Madrid ever beaten Aberdeen?
A. No. Aberdeen’s 1983 victory in the Cup Winners’ Cup final remains the only competitive meeting between the sides.
Q4. Do friendly matches count?
A. No. Only official competitive fixtures are counted, domestic leagues, cups, continental, and intercontinental matches.
Q5. Can this list change?
A. Yes. If Real Madrid win future competitive games against any of these clubs, those teams will be removed from the list.
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